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Mr Alfred Lockyer,



thing similar at the earliest opportunity. This opportunity did not

arrive for many years.


My first aviary was an adaptation of a small, but very lofty,

lean-to conservatory. It was what is known as a “ builder’s con¬

servatory,” with a lot of unnecessary woodwork (mainly old material)

and much coloured glass, and was quite unsuited for plant-growing.

It opened out of a sitting-room, had a concrete floor, with tiled path

down the centre, and an outer door leading by a short flight of steps

into the garden. This gangway had to be retained, so a light wood

framework was erected on either side about seven feet high, covered

with small meshed wire-netting, two dwarf doors being included.

The top was close boarded, making a capital platform for the birds,

and leaving a roomy flight up above, in addition to the space on each

side of the path. By way of a beginning, this aviary was furnished

with a miscellaneous collection of British seed-eating birds and a

few canaries.


Instances of liberated birds returning voluntarily to captivity

are by no means rare. It was in connection with this aviary that

the following incidents occurred. Among the occupants was a cock

Bullfinch, which had got out of condition and seemed to be moult¬

ing, so I thought it would be a kind act to give Bully his liberty.

Accordingly, he was netted and liberated one fine summer morning,

and flew gaily away over the neighbouring gardens, so I naturally

supposed I should never see him again. Imagine my astonishment,

on returning home in the evening, to find my little friend in the

gangway aforesaid, waiting patiently for. admittance at one of the

small wire doors. The mute appeal could not be resisted; I opened

the door an inch or two and he hopped gratefully inside, where he

remained for the rest of his days.


On another occasion, a Canary escaped over my shoulder as

I was entering the aviary in the morning, and bolted like an arrow.


I wasted half-an-hour hunting for him (in lieu of breakfast) but

without success, and had then, perforce, to wend my way to the

railway station. Bemembering' the former experience, I placed a

dish of seed inside the corridor, leaving the outer door open, and

gave instructions for a watch to be kept, so that, in case the

bait attracted, the retreat might be cut off. I had not gone far when



